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Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner American Pharoah nips at his groom’s hat during a bath after working out at Belmont Park on Wednesday in Elmont, N.Y. American Pharoah will try for a Triple Crown when he runs in Saturday’s Belmont Stakes.

For the second year in a row, a Southern California-based thoroughbred is aiming for horse racing’s elusive Triple Crown, a feat that hasn’t been accomplished in more than 35 years.

After breezing to victories in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes last month, American Pharoah is prepping for his final race at Belmont Park Saturday.

Much like California Chrome’s historic run in 2014, local horse racing fans are riding American Pharoah’s coattails, hoping to see a familiar face bring home the most prestigious prize in the sport.

“It’s important to us here more than ever because we are able to show the world that horses can base here and be competitive at the highest levels nationwide,” said Mike Willman, director of publicity at Santa Anita Park, home base for the American Pharoah team. “Last year, it was California Chrome based in Los Alamitos and this year, it’s American Pharoah, based here. The fact that we’re able to produce these kinds of horses … is a big feather in our cap.”

For those who can’t hop on a plane to New York City to experience the magic at Belmont Park, don’t fret.

The buzz over the horse, and the race will also hit a crescendo on Saturday in Arcadia, when Santa Anita hosts a party for Belmont Stakes Day, including a KROQ craft beer festival and a handful of talented guest chefs cooking up small bites in the racetrack’s historic Chandelier Room.

Fans can watch the race on the Big Board at the park at about 3:50 p.m.

On Wednesday, American Pharoah got his first look at the mile-and-a-half oval track and seemed pretty confident as he stepped onto the dirt, said trainer Bob Baffert, who is facing his fourth attempt at the Triple Crown.

“He’s marching. Look at him marching right out there,” Baffert said. “When he’s marching like that, it’s a good sign.”

Baffert said even though the horse is happy and healthy, he’s just trying to stay focused and avoid getting ahead of himself.

“I think we don’t know until it happens,” he said. “I want to win for the horse because the horse is deserving of it.”

Baffert is not the only one on the team hoping for a date with destiny.

This marks the second time in two years and third time in jockey Victor Espinoza’s career that he vies for the Crown, having come close on War Emblem in 2002 and California Chrome in 2014. He is also the first jockey in history to enter the Belmont with a third opportunity at the Triple Crown.

“I can’t look back and worry about the two times I lost the Belmont,” Espinoza said in an interview following his win at Pimlico. “Twice my chances were eliminated like that, but it’s different this time with American Pharoah.”

Espinoza, 43, said the more experience he gains, the more confident he becomes, giving him a greater advantage this time around.

He said he was happy with Wednesday’s draw at post position five in a field of eight horses.

“Number five is a pretty good number,” he said. “I’m here again. I’ve come here twice and I’m feeling lucky this year. The third time’s the charm. American Pharoah is always special. From the first time Baffert put me on, he was special.”

The last horse to nab the most prestigious prize in thoroughbred horse racing was Affirmed in 1978.

If American Pharoah can pull off the win, he would be the 12th horse to secure the Triple Crown.

Santa Anita’s Chandelier Room is inside the park — it cost $65 per person for all you can eat. The KROQ beer festival is in the infield — entrance is free and beers are $5.

Courtney Tompkins is a freelancer. Courtney previously covered Long Beach City Hall for the Press-Telegram and local government and education for the Pasadena Star-News and San Gabriel Valley Tribune. She is a graduate of Cal State Long Beach, where she studied journalism and international relations.